I Have A Dual World Seal-Chapter 80 Tonglin County Underworld

Lu Zheng was already familiar with ghosts, and the one standing not far from him was clearly another ghost.

"Which ghost are you?" Lu Zheng squinted his eyes, "Why didn’t you make a move just now?"

The newcomer was clad in brown armor, and compared to the previous ghost commander, his form was even more solid. His face, although pale, still carried a hint of life.

"Tonglin County Underworld City Patrol Envoy, Duan Zhong, at your service, Daoist!"

Oh? Underworld?

Lu Zheng’s heart stirred; he finally encountered an official ghost god.

"Lu Zheng, Lay Practitioner of the White Cloud Temple, at your service, General Duan." Lu Zheng returned the courtesy with a grin.

"No, no, Daoist, you’re too kind. I’m just a patrol envoy, certainly unworthy of being called a general. Just call me Inspector," Duan Zhong waved his hand repeatedly, but his face showed a satisfied smile, obviously pleased.

"I was just on patrol nearby, happened to notice a sinister ghost Qi outside the city, accompanied by flashes of Daoist Profound Light, so I rushed over to see if I could be of help. I never expected you, Daoist, to excel in both Daoist and Martial paths, rendering the Night Wanderer Camp Commander helpless. I’m truly impressed!"

"Inspector Duan overpraises me; I just have some means of self-protection, that’s all."

Lu Zheng attentively sensed the surroundings, finally realizing that Duan Zhong indeed carried a hint of life, which seemed to have some unique use, likely due to the Incense and Candle Dao.

The two exchanged compliments briefly. Just as Lu Zheng was about to take his leave, Duan Zhong extended his hand to stop him.

"Does Inspector Duan have other matters?" Lu Zheng asked, surprised.

Lu Zheng actually didn’t want to interact with the official cultivators or ghosts of the Great Jing Dynasty. Since he was technically off the records, if they investigated and found his lack of a "personal history," it would be hard to explain.

"That’s right, I would trouble you, Daoist, to accompany me to the Underworld to report this matter." Duan Zhong said apologetically, "After all, it involves the Netherworld, and this matter should be reported to Lord City God."

"Do I have to go too?"

Duan Zhong blinked with some confusion, "You’ve obtained an artifact of the Ye Lan King. Considering your cultivation in the Mystic Sect Techniques, why not let Lord City God extract the Nether Qi from this ghost artifact, so you can refine it into a Daoist Dharma Artifact?"

Hearing this, Lu Zheng was momentarily stunned, realizing that Duan Zhong’s request for him to visit the Underworld was actually out of goodwill.

Thinking it over, Lu Zheng acknowledged that, while he didn’t know much, it was wise to ask questions when in doubt, especially since he was a latecomer to the path.

"Inspector Duan, please excuse me. I’ve only recently begun my cultivation at White Cloud Temple, so I’m unfamiliar with many cultivation basics," Lu Zheng cupped his hands, "May I ask if it is convenient for Lord City God to help extract the Nether Qi?"

"Certainly!" Duan Zhong replied with a smile, "Although we were deified through incense, we’re still ghost bodies. The dense Nether Qi in this artifact will aid our cultivation."

"Oh? But can you actually use this ghostly artifact?" Lu Zheng asked.

"Of course we can," Duan Zhong nodded.

"I see," Lu Zheng nodded thoughtfully, "In that case, I’ll trouble Inspector Duan to lead the way."

"Please, Daoist."

Duan Zhong gestured forward, then floated into the air, heading towards the county.

Lu Zheng placed a Divine Movement Talisman on himself, lightly stepping forward to cross several feet at once, closely following Duan Zhong.

...

As they reached the base of the city wall, Duan Zhong passed through the wall, while Lu Zheng leapt over it, remaining not a step behind.

Duan Zhong glanced at Lu Zheng with admiration, "Daoist, at such a young age, you have achieved great attainment in both Daoist and Martial paths. Your future achievements are boundless."

"Inspector, you’re too kind. It’s merely fortuitous that I’ve succeeded in Qi Refining. I’ll take one step at a time moving forward."

"The White Cloud Temple is renowned, and the Innate Cloud Qi is famous. With your talent, Daoist, the future surely holds great promise."

Silently wondering what exactly the Innate Cloud Qi was, Lu Zheng laughed, "I’ll count on your auspicious words, Inspector."

...

Soon enough, they arrived at a location slightly west of the county’s northern side.

City God Temple!

Lu Zheng had visited the City God Temple during the day before, finding it an ordinary official temple, albeit a rather expansive one.

Arriving at night, he discovered that, although the temple remained dark and unlit, there was a constant feeling of movement within the shadows.

Under Duan Zhong’s guidance, as Lu Zheng stepped into the City God Temple,

his vision flickered, and everything changed drastically.

It was brightly lit, with soldiers everywhere, and people bustling around in an orderly manner.

"What the hell!"

Lu Zheng was dumbfounded, unable to believe his eyes.

The place he found himself in was dozens of times larger than the City God Temple by day, with over a hundred ghost soldiers patrolling and training.

At the same time, Lu Zheng noticed some officials in robes walking around, though he had no idea what work they were doing.

If Lu Zheng couldn’t see that these beings were ghost bodies, he might have thought he’d entered the County Government Office by day.

"This way, Daoist! We should first report to Judge Li." Duan Zhong said.

"Alright, alright," Lu Zheng, still shaken, nodded repeatedly.

Previously misled by film and television, Lu Zheng thought the City God Temple would have just one City God with a few judges and ghost messengers. Besides, wasn’t the City God Temple rather small?

Turns out it really was a full "department!"

Duan Zhong led Lu Zheng across the training grounds to a hall.

The hall’s main door was open, and inside sat a blue-faced Divine Official in a blue robe, busy at the desk.

"Lord Li."

"Hmm?" Judge Li raised his head, seeing Lu Zheng and Duan Zhong standing at the entrance.

A blue light flashed in his eyes, and Judge Li immediately stood up, "I was unaware of this young master’s visit to the Underworld at night. For what purpose?"

Lu Zheng sensed it; at the moment Judge Li looked at him, he felt as though he was being seen through. Naturally, Judge Li asked the question afterward, implying he had discerned some of Lu Zheng’s background, at least partially.

Lu Zheng was amazed, wondering if it was Judge Li’s own ability or the support of the City God Temple?

"Lu Zheng, Lay Practitioner of the White Cloud Temple, at your service, Lord Li!" Lu Zheng cupped his hands in respect.

Duan Zhong stepped forward, "My Lord, just now Daoist Lu returned from outside the city, where he encountered a Night Wanderer Camp Commander of the Ye Lan King. He casually eliminated him and obtained a ghost artifact. I met him during my patrol and invited him here to report."

Judge Li was surprised, "A Night Wanderer Camp Commander, carrying a ghost artifact? Is Ye Lan King plotting something again?"

With a shift of his gaze, Judge Li furrowed his brow and said, "This matter must be reported to the City God for a decision. Please follow me, Young Master Lu."

Seeing Judge Li’s speculative leap in logic, Lu Zheng initially intended to clarify that Ye Lan King had no schemes. But upon hearing he’d be brought to meet the City God, he decided it was better to speak just once and forge a good bond with the City God.

So, he kept quiet, merely nodding, and stepped aside to let the way lead, following Judge Li deeper into the City God Hall of the City God Temple.